Southern California Club Xterra

Southern California Club Xterra => SCCX Xcursions => Topic started by: Celt on March 02, 2019, 06:11:29 PM

Title: Anza Borrego
Post by: Celt on March 02, 2019, 06:11:29 PM
  I just got off the phone with Scuba Dale and we were trip scheming. We talked about going down into the Anza valley early in the day on a Thursday and each day going into areas some/most of us have not seen. We can do a few overnights and head back on Saturday so guys can catch their breath on Sunday before having to head back to work. I know we have some real experts like Frank B who really know that entire valley. Dale thought about setting up a base camp and I thought about picking up camp each day for a new one somewhere out there. I don't know that we have any certain agenda that needs to be met and it can be very fluid if everyone likes but I think this could be a really good time out there.
Title: Re: Anza Borrego
Post by: FBinSD on March 03, 2019, 08:32:02 AM
I'd been down to meet you all out there Saturday morning for the day.  I dont think I can get off Thursday and Friday this week.
Title: Re: Anza Borrego
Post by: Celt on March 03, 2019, 09:09:26 AM
I'd been down to meet you all out there Saturday morning for the day.  I dont think I can get off Thursday and Friday this week.

Its not this week as its still in the planning phase. Hopefully before the end of March if that gives you more time
Title: Re: Anza Borrego
Post by: G.B.H. on March 03, 2019, 10:34:48 AM
I would love to be a part of this. I am off every other Thursday -Wednesday. If you pick a week when I'm off I am more than likely in. A a suggestion as to where, I would love to go to the Rockhouse Canyon Clark Dry lake area. Never been. It's on my list. It's also one of the least visited areas and we are nearing the time of year for the wildflower traffic jams. Just read that about two weeks from now should be a prime time to visit. If you have been and it's not very interesting, I can save it for one of my solo exploration trips.
Title: Re: Anza Borrego
Post by: Celt on March 03, 2019, 03:23:55 PM
I think if we can get 2 or 3 of us together for this it's easily doable. I don't believe I've been to the Rockhouse Canyon Clark Dry lake area. At this point anything is open. Even going down there and driving while exploring areas where folks have not been once we get there can be a lot of fun.
Title: Re: Anza Borrego
Post by: FrankB on March 03, 2019, 07:19:33 PM
We went out to Anza Borrego today with some friends to the wildflowers. No off-road this trip though.  There is a huge super bloom of sand verbena (with a few lupine and some white flowers thrown in) up on the north side of S-22 just a bit east of Clark Dry Lake.  There were also a lot of people there.  The parking area on the side of the road was jammed.  This spot is mentioned in the Park's wildflower report.  I'll post some pictures later.

The road up to Clark Dry Lake / Rockhouse Canyon is nice.  You can go at least 10 miles up from S-22, perhaps more.  I don't recall it being very difficult at all, but it is rather scenic.   The usual group of land yachts is parked along the area between S-22 and the dry lake.  Hopefully none of them are actually driving on the dry lake bed.
Title: Re: Anza Borrego
Post by: G.B.H. on March 04, 2019, 05:49:06 PM
Just read a bit about Rockhouse. Yeah doesn’t seem like a difficult drive but sounds like some decent hiking and exploring areas and less traffic than other parts. I like that but as a group thing might be better to hit some of the more interesting drives.


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Title: Re: Anza Borrego
Post by: Celt on March 05, 2019, 08:11:07 PM
I would like to start narrowing down some dates for this. I'm not able to do this on the 28/29/30 but in between I'm good to go. If necessary this could run into April but it's going to start getting hot down there by then.
Title: Re: Anza Borrego
Post by: G.B.H. on March 06, 2019, 09:28:09 AM
28-29-30 is out for me as well. I'm good for the week before and the week after. 11-12-13 out. Week after good. Repeat until I get fired or quit my job. Barring birthdays and special occasions.
Title: Re: Anza Borrego
Post by: Celt on March 07, 2019, 07:25:10 AM
 It's looking like everyone might be too busy this month. Let's shoot for a date next month that works. I'm open for Apr 11/12/13 or Apr 25/26/27. If we wait long than April I'm concerned it's going to start to get too hot to be enjoyable down there.
Title: Re: Anza Borrego
Post by: G.B.H. on March 07, 2019, 10:27:25 AM
Those dates knock me out. I guess I'll explore Rockhouse and do a little hiking on the 21st. If anyone wants to join in. Let me know.
Title: Re: Anza Borrego
Post by: knightrider on March 07, 2019, 05:54:04 PM
I would say with the weather we have been having, I don't think it will be getting too hot in april for enjoyable weather.
Title: Re: Anza Borrego
Post by: Celt on March 07, 2019, 08:10:19 PM
I would say with the weather we have been having, I don't think it will be getting too hot in april for enjoyable weather.

  Hopefully not and I think you are most likely right. I'm just basing my thoughts off of the last couple years temperatures. Either way this should be a really fun trip. I know it may be difficult for most folks to attend due to it's a Thurs, Fri, Sat trip but hopefully we will get 3 or 4 going.
Title: Re: Anza Borrego
Post by: G.B.H. on March 08, 2019, 09:25:18 AM
Sorry to jump on your post but I have more solid plans than last time and am putting the invitation out. Leaving 22nd daytime. Down Oriflamme over to Grapevine canyon and up Jaspar (We went up it about a month ago and it was very muddy and washed out. Couldn't complete it due to time running out and had to get home. Want to get past where my friend got stuck) Into Borrego Springs. Then off to Coyote Canyon assuming the water crossings are not to deep. Camp. Next day hike to the Psychedelic eye. It's about a 3 mile hike (It's called Goat Canyon I think) Then find something fun and a bit of a challenge not sure what yet on the way out. I will be doing this with my neighbor who drives a Tundra (I don't hold it against him). Again, anyone who would like to join us for part or all, Let me know.
Title: Re: Anza Borrego
Post by: Syberia on March 14, 2019, 08:46:07 AM
The wife and I were going to be in Anza Borrego the 22nd, 23rd, and 24th anyway, because she just has to see the damn flowers!
Title: Re: Anza Borrego
Post by: Celt on March 23, 2019, 09:04:19 AM
 Thus far if anyone is interested I'm setting it up for Thursday April 4th thru Saturday April 6th.
Title: Re: Anza Borrego
Post by: G.B.H. on March 24, 2019, 12:00:03 PM
I hope the superbloom congestion dies down a bit. Just got back and it was ridiculous. Once we got a few miles off the beaten path it was ok but before that it was a total cluster. Even saw a small sedan do some water crossings (Coyote Canyon has 3. The third kept the minivans and sedans from going further) and a Maserati a few miles in on the dirt. Still had a great time though, once we got past the throngs.
Title: Re: Anza Borrego
Post by: Celt on March 24, 2019, 01:04:24 PM
My plan is to go in the complete opposite direction of all of that foolishness.
Title: Re: Anza Borrego
Post by: Jayrat on March 24, 2019, 04:45:15 PM
My plan is to go in the complete opposite direction of all of that foolishness.
Soooo anywhere but the Arlen Alley ," I Tell You What"[/i]
Title: Re: Anza Borrego
Post by: G.B.H. on March 24, 2019, 05:51:40 PM
That would entail not going to Anza Borrego. No where was safe.
I expect it will be over or considerably less by then.
Title: Re: Anza Borrego
Post by: Celt on March 24, 2019, 07:21:31 PM
That would entail not going to Anza Borrego. No where was safe.
I expect it will be over or considerably less by then.
Quote from: Jayrat

[quote author=Jayrat link=topic=4898.msg57559#msg57559 date=1553471115
Soooo anywhere but the Arlen Alley ," I Tell You What"[/i]
link=topic=4898.msg57559#msg57559 date=1553471115]
Soooo anywhere but the Arlen Alley ," I Tell You What"[/i]
[/quote]

Bobby go get me another tall cold Alamo
Title: Re: Anza Borrego
Post by: SCUBA_Dale on March 29, 2019, 03:43:18 PM
What's your plan for the last day?  If you're doing any trail riding, I might be able to squeeze out and run for the day...but not much else.
Title: Re: Anza Borrego
Post by: Celt on March 29, 2019, 07:13:49 PM
What's your plan for the last day?  If you're doing any trail riding, I might be able to squeeze out and run for the day...but not much else.

  As of right now I'm not sure there is any real plan to do any wheeling other than wherever we are camped to get up and head back towards home.
Title: Re: Anza Borrego
Post by: Sage Bromax on March 31, 2019, 08:45:46 PM
So, depending on where you decide to camp, we could show up Friday evening with our new trailer.
Title: Re: Anza Borrego
Post by: Celt on April 01, 2019, 04:19:21 AM
So, depending on where you decide to camp, we could show up Friday evening with our new trailer.

  I was thinking about being out somewhere near the pumpkin patch area but still have not given it a lot of thought. Let me do some checking to see what I can come up with.
Title: Re: Anza Borrego
Post by: Sage Bromax on April 05, 2019, 05:51:59 AM
So we can't pick up the trailer until next Tuesday (9th) due to dealer prep time.  We will try to head out there at the end of April.  It will be my birthday weekend.
Title: Re: Anza Borrego
Post by: Sage Bromax on April 17, 2019, 06:39:28 PM
Reviving this.  We will be taking the trailer out on Friday, April 25th, to Blair Valley.  I am hoping to find a sheltered spot on the far southeastern end.  We will just be parking and chilling for the weekend, if anyone wants to join us.  We should be leaving Lemon Grove by 1530, but with traffic and a trailer, I expect we will be there around 1800.
Title: Re: Anza Borrego
Post by: G.B.H. on April 18, 2019, 11:48:38 AM
If you can get up near the petroglyph trail, there are 3 smallish spots. The view of the valley from there is amazing and no road noise. Might have to deal with an occasional hiker though. We camped there on a Sunday night and saw no one else. However the weekend could be very different.
Title: Re: Anza Borrego
Post by: Sage Bromax on April 29, 2019, 09:10:22 AM
Dawn last Saturday.  This is at the southern end of the ridge separating Blair Valley & Little Blair Valley.  It got a little warm in the afternoon, but the A/C works great!
 [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]

We came back via Hwy 8, and we never got below 40 mph climbing the grade.  We averaged 11 mpg for the trip.
Title: Re: Anza Borrego
Post by: Celt on April 29, 2019, 04:37:48 PM
 Air Conditioning in the desert? Now would have thought of that!  Even better "We averaged 11 mpg for the trip" Finally someone is getting worst gas mileage than I am........   ;D  I'm glad you had a good time and wish I could have snuck down there. It would have been a nice relaxing trip.
Title: Re: Anza Borrego
Post by: G.B.H. on April 29, 2019, 05:27:56 PM
Nice trailer. Looks like it’s about the size of mine. What is the loaded weight and tongue weight of it?
Title: Re: Anza Borrego
Post by: Sage Bromax on April 29, 2019, 09:55:25 PM
Nice trailer. Looks like it’s about the size of mine. What is the loaded weight and tongue weight of it?
Loaded weight 4765 lbs, tongue weight 365 lbs.  But that is stock with a 20# propane tank and one Group 24 battery.  I now have two 30# propane tanks and will be replacing the single 24 with two Group 31 AGM batteries this week.  So a bit more on the tongue.
Title: Re: Anza Borrego
Post by: Celt on April 30, 2019, 08:45:05 AM
I now have two 30# propane tanks and will be replacing the single 24 with two Group 31 AGM batteries this week.  So a bit more on the tongue.

CHUSA is that you?   O0

Did you buy a portable welder?   ??? 8) ??? ::)
Title: Re: Anza Borrego
Post by: G.B.H. on April 30, 2019, 10:05:04 AM
Loaded weight 4765 lbs, tongue weight 365 lbs.  But that is stock with a 20# propane tank and one Group 24 battery.  I now have two 30# propane tanks and will be replacing the single 24 with two Group 31 AGM batteries this week.  So a bit more on the tongue.
Almost exactly the same as us except for the electrical. We found that we used very little electric. Still a 12 volt deep but added two 40 watt Zamp "maintainer" panels. Seems to work well for us. It's a nice change to have all mod cons, sometimes.